GCSEs 2018 (15) The Reckoning

DD decided not to do NCS ('I've googled the venue, and it looks like the credits from a serial killer film...') but has agreed to take over meal planning and shopping here for the week instead. Fortunately her older brother drives, as we don't have any handy supermarkets within walking or bussing distance.

Likewise ds's current school. They have 2 or 3 each year go to Oxbridge - however, they understand the application process and support with STEP, MAT PAT. I think that's important - along with the ambition for students. For a state school, they have a pretty good Russell group success rate.

DD1s comprehensive doesn't get many into Oxbridge - maybe one in a year group - but they do have a very clear approach to supporting the application process. It was one of the things that persuaded us she should stay put rather than move to the "outstanding" sixth form who's approach was much less coherent.

EllenJane Physics (and Maths) is his obsession, which is quite useful at times.

gettinTrimmer - what a spooky coincindence, my eldest DS was 16 on the day we went to Sitges! And he had a drink there, that evening.

Hope you have a great time. I particularly liked it early in the morning when hardly anyone was around, went for walks around the maze of little streets and along the coastal path.

Your DS2 is pretty proactive (and brave) for a DC with ASD, TheThird. I am impressed.

DS2 is going to ask the head of Physics about PAT preparation. If he has no luck with him, the head of Maths is very supportive (and an Oxford alumnus) and the PAT is 50% Maths.

For DS1 they held STEP and the Oxford equivalent lessons (STEP is only maths these days) for any local DC who wanted to sit them. About 15 DC from around 8 schools. They happened to be held at DS's school, conveniently for him. His sixth form was really hot on helping them with UCAS, BMAT etc, but it's a high achieving grammar school so lots of medics, Oxbridge candidates etc. They have 30 or so go to Oxbridge each year and many more applying.

I have no idea how DS3's prospective sixth form help out. I know they are a very successful comprehensive so I'd hope they'd be good, but as this thread shows, that's not a guarantee.

Interesting to read variety of approaches for Oxbridge from different schools. DS is holding a Cambridge offer for engineering - he had to sit a Cambridge specific exam in October but no STEP (sixth term examination paper - sat with a levels). We are in a city, and the university here run extra maths tuition for sixth formers, to gain greater depth in Y12 and STEP prep for offer holders in Y 13 (DS went to all as space even though he didn't sit step).

15 students in DS' year hold Oxbridge offers, a record for the state comp - they did hold lunchtime applying to Oxbridge sessions, and had representatives at uni application evening to explain the process.

Perhaps there might be PAT prep classes at your local university? Unis supposed to be raising engagement.

Well, we are back from our adventures, ds glad to be home and planning not very much over the next 6weeks! That said, he wants a part time job and plans a lot of music practice (got a Geade 8 to fit in in Oct/Nov and from the experience of his last one he will need a few weeks to focus on technical stuff. Plus voice has broken so problems with the aural!)
Interesting to read the NCS stuff, I had considered it, ds completely refused and I didn't pursue as he actually does have stuff to do and I think after his consistent hard work over the last year a break will do him good.
Will catch up properly when not so jet lagged!

I think today was my last day of marking GCSE exam papers. I have a sore arm from clicking on all the drop down menus over and over again...

Sorry mmzz I completely misunderstood.

Hi all

Dogzdinner Thanks for information about Sitges. I have a week to get through at work and can't wait...!

I actually worked today and did 6 hours so that I can take the time off this week. Hoping for tomorrow afternoon off and take ds and dd to a nearby beach, complete with nature reserve, also pub with a bar that is decking jutting out on the beach. Also Thursday afternoon off....dd seems to be at a loose end friendship wise (she is only 13)

Ds is 16 on Saturday and he will spend his Birthday at the airport! Then in the evening he can have an alcoholic drink with dinner. I believe the rules on drinking at 16 in Spain are similar to here; they can have a drink if an adult buys it for them with a meal... when we get home it will only be 2 and a half weeks until the results.

Third - Lots of people criticise any type of selective schools - I think its great that you have seemingly found the perfect school to match your DS2's needs....same applies for mmzz with hopefully DS1's new school....and hopefully both will get to study at Oxbridge if that is their chosen destination because the route through State schools doesnt make it easy for these bright young DC's.

There has already been criticism on one of the prequels to this thread about DS2's school and its admissions criteria. I'm starting to get déjà vu.

1. Most of my local state schools are not comprehensive but part of a group of partially selective schools (S.W.Herts consortium).

2. I didn't design this system and I have no influence over the admissions criteria for these schools.

3. The school DS2 joined in Y7 was the only school in the area suitable for his educational needs (e.g. extensive learning support department and experience of ASD).

mmzz if you mean DS2's school, it's not a comprehensive, it's partially selective.

When DS2 was applying for secondary schools, out of the six schools closest to our home:

• One did not offer triple science GCSE and had very little music provision (e.g. no orchestra).
• One only offered places to Catholics (we are not Catholic).
• Four were partially selective.

Two new schools have since been established in the area with a comprehensive intake.

@third Yes it looks like its the same school...500 metres Wow! Sounds like your DS2 is preparing himself well and obviously is passionate about Physics too which I gather is so important when it comes to interviews etc.

Totally agree I think some state schools have proactive teachers others just dont have the resources...it would be so lovely if all DC's had the same opportunities and education was a level playing field. I know there was an initiative to get the Independent schools assisting local state schools in order to keep their charity status but there appears to have been a U turn which is a shame because offering assistance with Oxbridge potential candidates would have been good.

The support given to state school Oxbridge applicants seems to be a bit hit & miss and can often depend on whether they have a teacher who is willing to be involved and proactive.

DS2 is interested in applying to the Physics course at Oxford. The first level of selection is a Physics Aptitude Test. At the open day, they showed statistics about total applicants vs successful applicants. The majority of successful applicants had tutoring for the PAT or attended a "PAT preparation club" at school. I can't imagine that most state schools have enough Oxford Physics applicants to run such a club.

DS2 has researched how he can prepare for the PAT independently and is making a study plan for next summer. However, he will need some support from school (e.g. willingness to register as a test centre) in order to apply at all.

Teenmum60 thank you for asking after DS1. His results come out a week earlier than DS2's, which is good because we can celebrate whatever DS1 has managed to achieve before DS2 receives what might be a string of 7s and 8s.

DS1 is just waiting to see if he has got into a middle-ranked university or a low-ranked university. It's likely that he'll be going to the low-ranked one, but you never know.

Teenmum60 do the schools begin with W? If it's the same place, in the last few years the distance to get in has been less than 500m (unless you get an academic place, music place or sibling place). The girls' school is slightly more flexible about the entry requirements for sixth form.

mmzz - I dont think your DS's school is different to a lot of the high achieving state schools. I was only thinking last week if you have a reasonably bright focused DC then they probably have a 1 in 3 change of them being offered a place at Oxbridge by paying for their education from an early age of 7 in one of the very good Independent schools - so education in many respects is still geared to the affluent who can invest £200k plus in a child's education.

When we were away on holiday DD was mixing with a lot of European children and I think a (15 yr old) Swiss child was already working in a hospital on some form of two year program which would then give him the opportunity to go on and study medicine further (Uni etc).DD found it really odd but I guess if more degree apprenticeships are offered in the UK then it would be similar albeit 2 years later.